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I will be visiting Poland, Estonia, Norway and Finland next month and would like to know if anyone has encountered any problems using non-chip US credit cards in these countries. I had some problems while in Denmark a few months ago finding establishments that accepted this type of credit card.

I had no problems in Norway. I believe that I used a U.S. credit card in Finland in 1995 with no problem. You may have to explain that the machines have two different slots, one for the CC with a chip and one where the CC is swiped.

No problem. I will never forget the look of horror on the cashier's face when I tried to use a credit card at the grocery store. Then she literally grabbed my groceries out the bag and pointed to the door, all the while loudly reprimanding me (or at least I think she was reprimanding, since I don't speak Polish). That incident will forever be seared in my memory.

We (in the Netherlands at least) will soon have to ask for a special ATM/debet card for visiting the States, since we are going over to chip only cards from next year. No doubt we could also get, for a fee, a swipeable credit card should it come to that.
It really is time the US banks got their act together and joined the rest of the banking world in issuing cards with chips.

Credit cards are not used as much in Europe as they are in the US, and in many countries you cannot pay for groceries and the like with a credit card. This includes the Netherlands btw.
So whilst you will be able to swipe your card you will need more cash than you are used to to pay for many things.

I think many shops (in Finland) still have an old "sweep" machine somewhere, so yes, in those places your card would be fine, they would dig up the machine for you. But usually supermarkets, shops and even taxis have just a tiny machine where you stick your card, punch debit or credit, and punch your PIN. But remember, everyone takes cash, too, and there are ATMs everywhere, and they have two holes, one for old type cards (the yellow one).

We had no problem in all the Scandinavia countries last August using our ,non-chip, visa. Most times the visa logo is shown on the door of the establishment. If it isn't, we ask and then decide. Make sure you alert your CC company where you will be with exact dates. You can find good information for download on this site for some of the countries you are visiting. Richard www.inyourpocket.com

Elina,
the banks have stopped processing the old credit/debit card signed paper slips for many years ago. The old equipment is therefore useless for receiving payments.

On the contrary, you will now see in many Finnish shops signs "we sill not alllow bypassing PINs, for safety reasons", which means the US traveller will not be able to use his/her non-PIN card of any kind there.

Whatever advice you are given by your bank or anyone else, do not rely on it. Always have a plan B.
Some banks will freeze your account as soon as they see a foreign transaction, so warn your bank to expect this but don't rely on them to take any notice.